Fetishism
Definition of Fetishism: What is Fetishism?
Fetishism is a subsidiary branch of the belief
in Animism that
encompasses the doctrine that spirits or
supernatural power embody, attach or convey
influence through, certain animals or material
objects. Some animals are believed to empower a
person or group with the associated trait of an
animal. Certain animals are believed to empower
a person or group with the associated trait of
an animal. Fetishes were commonly used in Native
American Religion
and practices. In the belief
of Fetishism the beaver represented the builder
and keeper for family unity, the raven was the
healer, the mountain lion was the warrior, and
the wolf was the pathfinder. All Southwestern
Native American tribes make, and use, fetishes
and adhere to the belief in Fetishism .

Fetishism and Animism -
Animal Totems and their Meanings
Many Native American Indian tribes hold the belief that
their people have animal totems that are
spirit guides who might appear in dreams, or
Vision Quests, in the form of an animal. These
Animal Totems,
or spirit guides, walk through life with the
people, teaching and guiding them, and in some
instances protecting them. The Animal Totems
adopted by many Native American tribes are
detailed in Tribal
Totems.
Animal Totems also included supernatural
creatures of mythology and legend, such as the
Thunderbird, all of which had a special
meanings, characteristics and significance.

Fetishism - Animal Fetish Meanings and
SignificanceEach
animal fetish had a special
meaning, characteristics and significance. The
following chart details many of the Animal
fetishes
used by Southwest Native Indian Tribes. The meanings of each of the Animal
fetishes are also detailed, although there might be
some regional and tribal variations to their
symbolism and meanings.

Fetishism - Animal Fetish Meanings and
Significance
Representations of fetishes are made into small
amulets or charms used for protection and
healing and made from various materials by many
different Native American Tribes. These objects
serve a ceremonial purpose and depict animals
and icons integral to the culture of tribe of
the artisan. The fetish objects are believed to
have supernatural energies that can help their
owners. The Zuni Southwest Indian tribe is
particularly associated with the belief of
Fetishism and for their stone fetishes. The Zuni
believed that the fetishes were real animals
that had been turned to stone by the sons of the
Sun Father and that their life force was still
inside the stone making fetishes extremely
powerful. The following items provide a list of
materials used to represent animals and create
fetishes:

Various stones and crystals including turquoise,
limestone and alabaster

Wood

Clay

Feathers

Sea
shells

Fur

Leather

Fetishism is encompassed in a range of Native
American Beliefs
Fetishism is not a religion as such but is mixed
with other beliefs such as Animism, that, taken as a whole have
strong religious connotations. The
idea and concept behind Fetishism, and the belief
of Animists, is that people
have a spiritual connection or kinship with
animals and some supernatural creatures.
Fetishism was part of a range of beliefs of the
Native American Indians especially the Southwest
Indian tribes
that also included:

Ritualism & Ceremonialism the use of ancient
practises, rituals and ceremonies to further
existing beliefs - refer to
Animal Totems and
Power Animals

Totemism - Totemism
was practiced by Northwest Indian tribes and
centered around the belief of having a natural object or
animate being, such as as a bird or animal, as the
emblem of a family, clan, or tribe. Totemism
encompassed a system of tribal organization
according to their totems

Animism - Animism is a belief based on the spiritual
idea that the universe, and all natural objects
within the universe, have souls or spirits. It is
believed that souls or spirits exist not only in
humans but also in animals, plants, trees, rocks
etc.

Shamanism
- A range of beliefs and practices
regarding communication with the spiritual world in
which a religious leader, like a Shaman, enters
supernatural realms or dimensions to obtain
solutions to problems afflicting the community
including sickness - refer to Spiritual Healing

The concepts of Fetishism, Totemism, Ritualism,
Animism and
Shamanism should all be considered to gain a
full understanding of the religious beliefs of
the Native American tribes who practised
Fetishism.

Fetishism

Native American Fetishism

Fetishism and the beliefs of Animists

The Culture of Fetishism

Words and terminology associated with Fetishism

Meanings of Fetishes & Fetishism

Native American Indian Fetishism, culture and religious beliefs

Pictures and Videos of Native Americans
Fetishism.
Discover the vast selection of
pictures which relate to the History of Native Americans
and illustrate many decorations and tattoos used by American Indians. The pictures show the clothing,
tattoos, war
paint, weapons
and decorations of various Native Indian tribes that can
be used as a really useful
educational history resource for kids and children of all ages
and a means to study their interpretation.
We have included pictures to accompany the
main topic of this section - Native American Culture. The videos enable fast access to the
images, paintings and pictures together with information
and many historical facts. All of the articles can be accessed via the
Native Indian Tribes Index.